Two hours per day make fourteen per week, make 728 per year. At that rate, 10,000 hours is a long way off, but I feel I use the two hours per day well. Only time will tell what effect it has on my quality of play. Watch this space!

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8 thoughts on “Sample Study Plan”

This is my training plan that made me gain 100 points. You might want to try it out, maybe not.

Everyday:

1. 30+ mins of tactical study (puzzles).
2. 30+ mins of positional chess/strategy with Chess Strategy Move by Move and My System
3. 60+ or 30+
This step is the hardest because it will constantly change.
Monday and Tuesday: Endgame study with Silman’s Complete Endgame Course, you should read the section where your level is and a section above your rating. Keep rereading this section every week so you gain a good grasp of the knowledge of chess endgames.

Wednesday and Thursday: Look at your own games and analyze them with yourself followed by your computer analysis. Remember to always analyze your games by yourself first. Look at your own games and other games of masters. If you have a favorite chess player or opening you might want to look at games that cover that. You should also look at games with annotations(words) because they will help you benefit from the game the most.

Friday: Opening Study

Saturday and Sunday: Study more tactics if you don’t have a chess tournament.

I mentioned the 10,000 hours with tongue in cheek, as of course it isn’t quite that simple. I am interested in how to make best use of time though, hence the ‘Mastery’ section on the blog. Although Gladwell popularised the idea that 10,000 hours should lead to mastery, it is the work of Anders Ericsson which is at the root of it. I am currently reading Matthew Syed’s Bounce on the topic and will be posting on it in the near future.